Doctors said that I’d never run again...but I’m going to be doing a 10k next month
Inspirational Emma overcomes disability and illness
29.05.2017 A woman who was told she’d never run again is defying the odds by taking part in a 10k.
Doctors told Emma Benstead, 42, that she’d never be able to participate in high impact sports after losing part of her foot in a car accident as a child.
Now Emma, who hails from Bishopton, is gearing up for the Simplyhealth Great Women’s Run in Glasgow on Sunday, June 4.
The 10k route starts at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park and runs through the heart of the city’s West End, passing iconic landmarks such as Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow University, the Science Centre and the SSE Hydro.
All along the way there will be bands, pipers and dancers and all finishers receive a goody bag, which includes a medal, T-shirt and water.
Emma, who works as an IT service manager, said it’s something she never thought she’d be able to do.
She said: “I had always been told that I was not able to run due to my foot.
“I have no bone in my big toe, so I have limited balance on my right side.”
In 2011, Emma was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She went into remission in June 2012 and got the all-clear in October 2016.
She wanted to improve her fitness after gaining weight in hospital during treatment.
Having never run before, she sought the advice of her doctor and got fitted for proper shoes.
Emma said that although she exercises, she listens to her body so as not to cause any damage to her foot.
“If any pain or niggles arrive, I stop and walk”, she explained.
“At first, I started with small amounts on the treadmill as part of my gym work.
“I eventually built up to 15 minutes without stopping.”
After being able to run a 5k, Emma wanted to progress to the next level.
She said: “In April I started to do small runs outside, and eventually built up to do my first Parkrun in June and have slowly progressed from there.”
Although her husband David runs marathons, Emma says she is not tempted to increase her running distance.
Whilst she’s comfortable with a 10k, her main goal is to decrease her running time from an hour and a half to one hour.
She added: “I’ve spent a long time feeling unwell and I don’t want to go back there.
“I want to feel the best I can for as long as I possibly can and that means looking after my fitness and health”.
Entries are open for the Simplyhealth Great Women’s Run at greatrun.org/womens